A/N –Fine! You all win! I really should be doing homework, but I'll write another chappie instead. If I flunk out – it's all your fault! I'm glad you're all loving the suspense (hehehe) maybe I'll just have to add some more! (This story isn't done yet…)

Chapter 20:

They all sat in anticipation to what Sara was going to say. She kept glancing at Catherine, who would nod encouragingly. Nick wrapped his arm around her for support, thinking the same thing as everyone else. They were all sure she was going to tell them about her pregnancy, but with the facts so vague, the team also was hoping to get more information to fill in all the blanks this case had left in its trail.

"Catherine informed me about some information that's been going around here. The reason I didn't bring this up earlier was because, well, I didn't think I could, or needed to yet." The tears started to flow down her face. Catherine could feel the lump starting to form in her throat. Everyone else held looks of anticipation. "I wanted to tell you, I really did. Especially you Nick." She turned to look at him. His kind eyes responded back with all the love she needed to get through what she needed to say.

"Sara. It's okay. We'll support you through this. I don't love you any less because of what happened and I know everyone else feels the same way." They all nodded.

"One second. I do appreciate your support more than anything in the world and I am going to need all your help and support to get through this. But I don't think we're talking about the same 'this'." Grissom looked at her, utterly puzzled. If it wasn't the baby, then what was it? Catherine noticed the same confusion mirrored on everyone's faces. A look of grief and despair consumed Sara's face. Even Catherine couldn't hold back her tears, knowing what was coming next. Sara's voice was barely higher than a whisper, but everyone in the room caught every word.

"I'm not pregnant…anymore." With that she burst into tears and sobbed into Nick's shoulder. He held her tightly, still confused, but devastated for Sara. Warrick took Catherine's hand as the tears flowed down her face. Grissom just kept staring at Sara, still trying to register what was going on. When she had finally calmed down a bit, she tried to continue.

"Remember how I told you, that I had something to tell Chris? Then I went into work and he was angry? When I got home he hurt me and I needed to go to the hospital?" Nick stomach clenched. He knew what was coming. He didn't want her to have to say it. He could see the torment on her face, the grief. It finally all made sense.

"I found out I was pregnant. We had suspected it earlier, but I just had been confirmed. I was about a month along, but after that day when he hit me because I was suspicious about what he and his friends were doing, I told him that I was going to raise the baby alone and he was going to leave us be. Then Grissom called me in. I was happy to get away; I wasn't sure how he was going to react. I got his note when I got home from work, and later that day he paid me a visit…" She drifted off again, the tears welling in her eyes. She closed them for a moment. Grissom could see her struggling with trying to tell them. It was no wonder she had confided this all in Catherine. Of all people, she would have understood the best. Sara continued, crying softly as she spoke each word.

"He told me that I couldn't get rid of him that easily, and that he wasn't going to support some child for the rest of his life. He was so angry. He hit me hard and I fell. I was dazed for a few minutes but heard him slam the door and leave. Suddenly, something felt wrong and my abdomen started to hurt. I was so scared. I drove myself to the hospital, where I lost my baby." She burst into tears, as Nick's heart broke and mourned over the little one that was lost. Silence followed for a few moments. No one knew what to say. How could they comfort Sara? What words could there be that would make her feel well again? Grissom knew he couldn't think of any.

Everything made sense to him now. Nick was devastated over Sara's loss; he had been secretly a little bit excited about the thought of having a baby. He wanted to be a father. What hurt the most was the pain Sara was going through. He wished he could take it all away for her. Sara was the first to break the silence,

"What kind of mother would I have been anyways? I couldn't even protect my baby from him."

"This is not your fault Sara!" Brass exclaimed. "There was nothing you could have done. I know you, and I know that you would never do anything intentional to harm someone. Chris is in jail for good – I'll make sure of that. I'm so sorry."

After hugging Sara, offering their condolences and support, the rest of the team decided to give Sara and Nick some time alone to talk. Catherine hugged Sara especially tightly.

"I'm proud of you – I know that wasn't easy. There's nothing worse than losing a child, but like I've been telling you. Don't blame yourself. You're going to be a great mom one day. It just wasn't meant to be." Sara nodded and gave her a weak smile.

"Thanks. For everything Cath." But before leaving, Catherine said quietly to her friend,

"What about Da-?" Sara shook her head no, as Grissom looked on suspiciously.

Sara sat down again, next to Nick. The room was empty, and Sara felt alone with her thoughts. She didn't know what Nick was thinking. Maybe he was angry that she hadn't told him about the baby. Maybe he didn't want her anymore. Nick had become such an important person in her life the last few weeks, she could hardly bear the thought of him not wanting anything to do with her. At the thought, a few tears slid down her face. She felt Nick's warm hand brush them away. She turned to see him staring intently in her eyes.

"I'm so sorry Nick."